New York Metro &
New Jersey

November 5th, 2004

Saltwater License Agreement Dead in the Water

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At last…  This darn election is finally over and done with…  We can finally stop bickering about foreign policy, social issues and the environment and focus on more important things, like fish.   All kidding aside, this country, and anglers as a subsection, have been bitterly divided and in many cases downright nasty to each other.  It’s time to put all of that behind us, find it in ourselves to have hope, and move on…  There’s much work to be done on the fisheries and clean water fronts and it’s going to take consensus from us all. 

Now let’s get down to other more localized contentious issues.  Regular readers of this column know of the existing Marine Recreational Fishing License Discussion Group, an ad hoc group operating under the auspices of the Marine Resources Advisory Council.  This group comprised of industry and recreational stakeholders met several times, in light of the severe budget short-falls within the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), to discuss the possibility of a New York State saltwater angling license.    Though out the last several months, they hammered out details like the dedication of license revenues to marine recreational fishing needs, and ways to get around offsetting reduction in other income to DEC.  They addressed the cost and ease of acquiring a license and an annual license revenue expenditure plan, in addition to the involvement of the marine recreational fishing community in the license money usage.  They discussed providing expanded funding to programs undertaken by the DEC that promote healthy recreational fisheries, including resource management and enhancement, recreational fishery access; marine recreational fishery business support, marine resource law enforcement, research and generating comprehensive and accurate data and information on the size, complexion, and activity patterns of marine recreational fishing in New York so the money generated could be used better.  They even hammered out a sunset clause in case the license program wasn’t working out. 

But still, after all of this work, only one organization in the whole group actually voted in favor of the license while the rest voted against it.  During the next Marine Resources Advisory Council meeting it will officially be take it off the table.  The arguments as I understand them are  "We pay enough taxes,"  "We don't trust the state," "[in reference to enforcement] You know, A guy wants to be able to bring a fish home, he's not a bad guy."  Pure short-sited crap…  Meanwhile, poachers are operating uninhibited in the New York Bight because the DEC doesn’t have the money, or any monetary reason to put them out there because we don’t pay.  Guys like the ones who sunk my boat last year continue to laugh at us…  DEC officials can’t collect the required data they need to make responsible management decisions and they come up with number on species like fluke that result in exceptionally high bag limits and season restrictions.  Anglers continue to have no clout in the state because they’re too cheap to pay for it.  The artificial reef program will most likely be suspended.  Plans for new boat ramps and access sites…  Forget-about-it… 

It’s a shame…  I thought this time we were getting close to actually having a sensible policy in New York where the angler pays and the anger gets…  Once again the shortsighted “cheapskate” argument wins…  Congratulations guys!

Now let’s get on to the reports: 

The whole Jersey Coast came alive this weekend with acres and acres of peanut bunker getting mauled by big bluefish and some nice sized bass.  The New York Metro area fished better this week as well as very large bluefish showed up in numbers on the outside.  There were bass underneath, but getting a fly down to them was difficult.  Raritan Bay had some fish under birds, but still not the big blitzes expected for this time of the year.  Today there were big bass and bluefish in the Great Kills area feasting on peanut bunker.  Lots of those little guys in Jamaica Bay also, and a few big bass in there chasing them, but unfortunately, it’s mostly schoolies and bluefish.  For some odd reason, these bigger fish are super picky this year.  In Western Long Island, the North Shore continues to produce numerous schoolies on the fly and bluefish are prolific as well.  On the South Shore it’s been a mix of big blues and schoolie bass from the surf.  Out east is bluefish central with huge schools off of Montauk and inside in the Gardeners area.   There were many reports of albies in and around the Orient Point area, but they have since dispersed.

Looks like more high winds Fri, Sat and into Sunday…  But as usuall, these things are prone to change.  So keep your fingers crossed and get out there if you can.  Because that trophy striper is there with your name on it! 

And don’t forget to email me your own reports. Tight lines all.

Tight Lines!

John McMurray

New Jersey

Captain Bryan DiLeo from Iowa Fortune Guide Service reports very good backwater action in the Ocean/Atlantic City area this week.  Check it out:

 The fall run continues to be in full swing dishing up very good Striped Bass fishing through out the SJ backcountry. Constant mid 50’s water temperatures continue to have the Bass moving and tracking exceptionally well as they slowly make their way across the skinnier flats and edges. The common theme still seems to be all or none rule at most locations as the weeks totals reflect with 46 Bass caught last week this includes one trip with 1 Bass only and my one day off. Through out the past week the Bass were just as friendly to the fly fisherman as they were to my light tackle clients willing to take both top water artificials as well as sub-surface, but it always seemed to be one or the other with no exceptions.  The Bass have all been in the 24"-30” range with Monday offering the first appearance of some big migratory fish in the mid to upper 30”s range making their way around back with the largest being a 38”+ fish that just inhaled our top water plug with reckless abandon just a few feet from the boat and in 3 feet of water. All the bass over the past month with the cooler water have been very aggressive and feisty no matter what size category the fall into. The cool water temperatures have finally taken effect in the back country releasing all the weed from the sand flats and in turn giving us some crystal clear water clarity and setting the stage for prime sight fishing weeks ahead. Prime tides will fall upon us this week as we come off the full moon should this should keep good water moving through the back country and the bass increasingly on the move.   

The guys from Shore Catch Guide Service had an awesome week this week…  In fact they describe it as the best it’s been all year…  Check it out:

  All I can say is that it is literally all out BLITZ action down here in Jersey right now. By far the best action we have seen so far this year. Bass and big blues are literally exploding up and down the beaches under thousands of working birds with Island Beach State Park and Northern Ocean Counties being the best places. This is literally non stop action from sun up to sun down!! Bait is everywhere -- peanuts, spearing, rainfish, sand eels, and even Baby Weakfish are being eaten. Our Guides on the beach are creaming bass and blues in the wash as well. Bottom line is it is going off BIG TIME. These are the 50 to 100 fish days that fly fishers dream about. Hopefully, it will stay this way through the end of December. Gotta go tie some more flies for tomorrow.

From Northern New Jersey Captain Paul Eidman from Reel Therapy checks in with this report:

Haven’t been able to get out on the water for a few days due to wind, wind and more wind. We were able to catch a break the other day in the rain and fog. Tom Smith was on board for his first boat trip out on our waters since moving here from Florida. Regardless of being cold and wet, he was happy as a clam when he caught his first striped bass that morning!  There are acres of blues under birds here off the beaches, just waiting for some clear weather to go get under them.
Catch em up!
Paul

I know the feeling Paul…

From the beach, Reel-Timer Mike O’Brien checks in with this report:

I fished south of Sandy Hook on Monday late morning until after 2pm
with hard nw winds and blitzing blues on the small side.  I saw a few
short Bass in the surf but no takers.  Still waiting for the pigs to
come through.  Tuesday I fished Keansburg at the same time and saw
nothing but some small rainbait. While striping my fly along the bottom I hooked up a couple of Fluke.  I got a report this evening from a buddy who saw tons of bluefish early
Wednesday morning with a few very selective stripers in the mix.  I'm hitting it hard tomorrow.
Michael O'Brien

If you like big mean nasty blues, head out to the ocean side.  There are an awful lot of them around right now.  Guys are hammering them from Breezy Point west via beach and boat.  Fish are generally in the 10-pound range but several in the high teens were taken this week as well.  There has also been pretty good schoolie action, with some larger bass being taken at night.  The bait seems to be a mix of spearing and peanut bunker.  Raritan Bay lit up today with big bass and blues chasing peanut bunker.  Over on the Jamaica Bay side the action in the back has been just okay…  Compared to previous years, I can’t quite call it good yet.  Peter Chan took a few fish in the 36-inch range this week.  I put a guy on a 34-incher earlier in the week, but for the most part it’s schoolies and bluefish galore.  I expect a push of considerably larger fish before the fat lady sings. 

Captain Joe Mattioli from On The Bite Charters reports good action over on the Raritan Side:

We have had major Bluefish Blitzes this week with fish up 9lbs. Clousers and deceivers were the ticket.   If you fished them underneath the bluefish  you can pick bass up to 20lbs. This cold front should really get the Bass on the feed the best is still to come, now is the time to be out looking for a trophy Bass.   I have dates available.

Reel-Timer Bob Wilkanowski managed 10 stripers, all in the 24" range at the Breezy Point Jetty last Thursday before the incoming tide and waves forced him back, away from a very consistent blitz. All fish were taken on the inlet side with yellow/white, olive/white deceivers. 

Western Long Island

From the North Shore Captain Robin Calitri reports lots of peanut bunker and lots of schoolies on them…  Robin has been able to dodge the high wind in the harbors and has been finding consistent action there.  Some big blues around as well, but not as many as the previous week. 

Nothing solid to report from the South Shore, but judging by the action at Breezy and points west, my guess is that it’s fishing pretty good. 

Eastern Long Island

Captain David Blinken from North Flats Guiding reported Albies in the Orient area earlier this week.  They were big and eager to take flies.  I suspect these fish hit the road before this cold front hit.

On the South Side, there has been loads of peanut bunker and the bluefish and birds are everywhere.  Some bass around, but it’s very difficult to fight your way though the blues. 

Last, but certainly not least, Salty Flyrodder Joel Filner checks in with a report from warmer areas:

Fishing for bonefish in the Keys at Islamorada is one of the treats of my year. Usually I get to attend a business conference in the Miami/Boca area and then attach one two or three days fishing, depending on the availability of the guides and the business client that I can invite along to ease the pain. After many years of fishing with Alan Finkleman in the Keys, a former President of the Saltys and mentor when I was learning to fish up north, I learned that casting into the wind, and accuracy were the two most useful tools to be a good Keys fisherman. For that matter a good Montauk, Shinnecock, or Northfork fisherman. This year was no exception. I fished with Chris Asaro for one day and Tim Klein for two days as Alan was not available. Wednesday was the worst day. 20 to 25 knot winds, very strange tides (remember the eclipse and full moon), and some wind
driven dirty water added up to 9 hours of search, hide, pole, and see a total of 6 bonefish, not even castable, one red fish, and one tarpon. A very tired guide and sport by the end of the day. But that's what is the norm in the keys. Thursday was a better day, with at least 6 shots at bones, 4 on, one in for the two of us fishing, but again, the guide poled two miles of flats with perfect visibility, low wind, but not one fish on a usually busy flat. The day ended with the 15 to 20 knot winds, tough casting for a novice to the Keys, and even tougher for me as my turn up front yielded only three shots.  Where, O Where have all the bone fish gone?  Stay tuned. The guides theory is that the net ban increased the amount of
bait fish, there by bringing dolphins(the mammal) on to the flats to eat bones. We watched a dolphin chase a bone across the flat, leaving a mud trail as wide as a jeep in a full circle and long run across the flat we were fishing. A truly amazing sight that the camera missed. We promptly abandoned that flat.Friday was a better day with shots in the morning, two fish in, and 5 on, and low wind conditions. We still were hunting as the usual places were not full of fish. The operator error came in the middle of the day when there were multiple shots at fish into the wind (which worked and hooked) and multiple shots in easy casting directions when the operator managed a strip strike and held the line only to hear the pop of the 12 lb tippet when the bone turned to run. The air turned blue from the chorus of words not fit to print. And again when the operator managed to cast left instead of right. And again when the operator managed to wind knot the fly to the rod, untangle it, cast it and then lift the fly out of the fish's mouth.
But the operator managed a 60 ft cast 8 inches from feeding fish, hook up and take the ride. A bit of mangrove freed the fish on the third run but the smile was still there. That's what keeps us coming back.

On that note, I’m going to sign off…  The weather forecast doesn’t look as bad as it did when I started writing this.  Let’s all just continue to keep our fingers crossed and hope that it continues to look better as we get closer to the weekend.  See ya on the water…